Justin and I took a Baby Basics class tonight - I've tried pretty hard not to get too crazy reading all the different articles and books with every different opinion under the sun on topics I didn't even know I was supposed to be thinking of. At the same time, we don't want to be ignorant so we figured this would at least be helpful.
Not so much. I only feel worse now... sort of. The woman who taught the class started with the cliche there are no stupid questins, but very quickly moved onto leaving me questioning why I didn't already know that. Things I now know I'm already doing wrong: I planned on using a bumper in her crib; I would have used lotion and not vegetable oil if I were to give her a massage; I was going to use a positioner to keep her on her back; I'd planned on swaddling her in one of her receiving blankets to put her to bed instead of a burrito-blanket; I would have only burped her at the end of feeding instead of every 1/2 - 3/4 of an ounce - and didn't I mention no bumper?! Did anyone else use a bumper?!
She was so end of the world about everything too. Basically if we do one single little thing wrong, Baby Bail is screwed. This is something I've already known for some time, but I've been living comfortably in denial. The instructor was definitely an Uncle No Fun. Instead of leaving the class feeling confident that we would be able to figure it out and handle the unknown, I left cranky and doubtful.
-which is better than feeling violated like I will be by the end of the day tomorrow after my OB appointment. She's going to start checking if I'm dialted. That's been another part of my living in denial, I haven't had to use the stirrups at all so far, and I was hoping I'd only have to when Baby actually comes. And if that weren't enough, I also have to get a Group B Strep test where, for those of you unfamiliar, I just recently learned they swab the vajayjay and around the badonkydonk. They didn't do all this to the women on the Oregon Trail, and they had babies all the time! frickin' geez...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Definitely Unexpected!
I should be writing thank yous right now, but after writing so many I kind of go into auto-pilot and I don't want there to be any insincerity in them... so a blogger break! I didn't mention in my last post that I had some surprise guests at my Ohio shower -
Justin and I were at a Cavs game last Thursday with my aunt who flew out from California for the shower and some of her friends that live in the area. It was nice to just relax and cheer like a crazy person with my aunt, a much needed break and distraction from the week! During the game J gets this bizarre text message from his friend that he needs to be picked up from the bar - it wouldn't have been that bizarre if it wasn't only 9:00p. I'm the biggest lightweight there is and even I was generally able to make it past 9:00! I knew his friend was having a hard time with his girlfriend so I didn't think too much about it and even agreed with Justin when he said he was going to swing by and make sure everything was golden. I was talking (gossiping) with a mutual friend after Justin left when we got home, and she said how it was weird that he texted he needed a ride because her husband had just spoken with him and said he seemed totally fine.
At this point, crazy hormonal unreasonable pregnant Dana emerged and my sincere immediate thought: Justin is cheating on me!! His friend obviously had some girl at his house and J went over and cheated on his pregnant wife! I start frantically sending him these completely absurd text messages - and he only responds with general "I don't know what you're talking about" and doesn't say when he'll be home so at this point I'm convinced he was cheating. (I know I know, my husband Justin, cheating?! Trust me, I was shocked too...) I'm in bed and when I hear him pull up I'm ready to start grilling him just glaring at the door waiting for him to emerge.
...and my MOM walks through the door! I can't even explain the confusion and shock when I saw her that I literally screamed and hid under my covers - what sense does that make?! I'm under the covers trying to make sense of everything and I started panicking because I know she was flying out for Baby Girl's delivery, so crazy hormonal ridiculous Dana now decides that somehow my mom knew I was in labor, and I had no idea! I'm trying to figure out why I couldn't feel any contractions when I was interrupted by another voice. I peered out from under the covers and my sister Andrea was doubled over next to Mom laughing at the absurdity of my reaction. I can honestly say it was one of my favorite weekends I can remember in a long time! One of the things I know I'm missing most by living in Ohio so far from my family is the girl time with my mom and sisters. It was so refreshing and I feel like it brought me back, and I've missed that girl.
Justin and I were at a Cavs game last Thursday with my aunt who flew out from California for the shower and some of her friends that live in the area. It was nice to just relax and cheer like a crazy person with my aunt, a much needed break and distraction from the week! During the game J gets this bizarre text message from his friend that he needs to be picked up from the bar - it wouldn't have been that bizarre if it wasn't only 9:00p. I'm the biggest lightweight there is and even I was generally able to make it past 9:00! I knew his friend was having a hard time with his girlfriend so I didn't think too much about it and even agreed with Justin when he said he was going to swing by and make sure everything was golden. I was talking (gossiping) with a mutual friend after Justin left when we got home, and she said how it was weird that he texted he needed a ride because her husband had just spoken with him and said he seemed totally fine.
At this point, crazy hormonal unreasonable pregnant Dana emerged and my sincere immediate thought: Justin is cheating on me!! His friend obviously had some girl at his house and J went over and cheated on his pregnant wife! I start frantically sending him these completely absurd text messages - and he only responds with general "I don't know what you're talking about" and doesn't say when he'll be home so at this point I'm convinced he was cheating. (I know I know, my husband Justin, cheating?! Trust me, I was shocked too...) I'm in bed and when I hear him pull up I'm ready to start grilling him just glaring at the door waiting for him to emerge.
...and my MOM walks through the door! I can't even explain the confusion and shock when I saw her that I literally screamed and hid under my covers - what sense does that make?! I'm under the covers trying to make sense of everything and I started panicking because I know she was flying out for Baby Girl's delivery, so crazy hormonal ridiculous Dana now decides that somehow my mom knew I was in labor, and I had no idea! I'm trying to figure out why I couldn't feel any contractions when I was interrupted by another voice. I peered out from under the covers and my sister Andrea was doubled over next to Mom laughing at the absurdity of my reaction. I can honestly say it was one of my favorite weekends I can remember in a long time! One of the things I know I'm missing most by living in Ohio so far from my family is the girl time with my mom and sisters. It was so refreshing and I feel like it brought me back, and I've missed that girl.
Mom and Sissy - I love you, thank you! 
Saturday, April 12, 2008
April Showers
The frickin' funk is finally finished (say that twelve times fast!) except for Monday to Friday from about 9-5. So this is what it's like to not be in love with your job... pretty frustrating and disheartening. I can't really complain too much because I know that I've been blessed, but certain situations (people) are really just wearing me down. ANYWAY...
Since the last post twelve years ago I've been completely overwhelmed by the generosity of family and friends at baby showers at home in Loveland, work, and Justin's mom threw a shower for us. Seriously, everyone's kindness with their gifts, and simply making it to each shower left Justin and I feeling so blessed and loved. Baby Girl needs for nothing (except two parents who know what the purpose for each gift we received was and where on Baby it's necessarily expected to be used...) and by the end of last weekend it looked like Babies 'R Us threw up in our living room. Seriously, she's set - the duffel bag of the clothes my niece Lili doesn't fit in anymore combined with everything else we've been given and bought - she easily has not only more clothes than Justin and I, but nicer and she'll be trendy even *gasp*
As soon as Justin read about the nesting instinct that every pregnant woman gets, he's been asking me when mine will kick in... ten weeks later and I'm officially nesting - I think. Really, Justin has to do all the work because he's ridiculously overprotective that I don't over extend myself... I have no idea how I got so lucky to have a loving and paranoid husband! As a result, my nesting has basically consisted of deciding what I'd like to do for her nursery and then Justin making it happen. Nothing is really finished (in order to make one thing happen it seems like B, C and D need to be done first) but we're well on our way. Her changing table and crib have been put together. We picked out the dresser and pick it up Tuesday. The only furniture left that we'd like to put in her room is a rocking chair or glider. I found out Friday that my nesting is going to become even easier because after I told Justin's mom, Miriam, how we planned on painting the room, she saw through my uncertainty and is coming over on Thursday while we're at work to decorate the nursery to compliment the bedding set I chose. As long as it doesn't end up too pink... I'm stoked to have an interior designer take over the room! I trust her though and can't wait to see it finished!
Since the last post twelve years ago I've been completely overwhelmed by the generosity of family and friends at baby showers at home in Loveland, work, and Justin's mom threw a shower for us. Seriously, everyone's kindness with their gifts, and simply making it to each shower left Justin and I feeling so blessed and loved. Baby Girl needs for nothing (except two parents who know what the purpose for each gift we received was and where on Baby it's necessarily expected to be used...) and by the end of last weekend it looked like Babies 'R Us threw up in our living room. Seriously, she's set - the duffel bag of the clothes my niece Lili doesn't fit in anymore combined with everything else we've been given and bought - she easily has not only more clothes than Justin and I, but nicer and she'll be trendy even *gasp*
As soon as Justin read about the nesting instinct that every pregnant woman gets, he's been asking me when mine will kick in... ten weeks later and I'm officially nesting - I think. Really, Justin has to do all the work because he's ridiculously overprotective that I don't over extend myself... I have no idea how I got so lucky to have a loving and paranoid husband! As a result, my nesting has basically consisted of deciding what I'd like to do for her nursery and then Justin making it happen. Nothing is really finished (in order to make one thing happen it seems like B, C and D need to be done first) but we're well on our way. Her changing table and crib have been put together. We picked out the dresser and pick it up Tuesday. The only furniture left that we'd like to put in her room is a rocking chair or glider. I found out Friday that my nesting is going to become even easier because after I told Justin's mom, Miriam, how we planned on painting the room, she saw through my uncertainty and is coming over on Thursday while we're at work to decorate the nursery to compliment the bedding set I chose. As long as it doesn't end up too pink... I'm stoked to have an interior designer take over the room! I trust her though and can't wait to see it finished!
36 weeks down, 4 to go (I hope!)
Friday, March 21, 2008
in a funk
I've been in a funk lately... I'm not sure why it came and I'm certainly not sure how to make it go away. I think a large part of it is that Justin's been in Paris on a business trip for the past week, and he's always kind of my saving grace to help me see the light and leave Negative Nancy at the door. He gets back tonight (although his flight's already 2 1/2 hours late, go figure) and I absolutely can't wait - it's always hard when J leaves for a business trip anyway, but this is the first time he's been out of the country and we can't talk as often as we normally would. Plus, I was so sure that since he was conveniently leaving the country when I have just seven weeks left, I would surely go into labor... luckily that didn't happen!
Anyway, my funk is probably due largely with work - I have the unfortunate task of handling all the complaints that come into the arena (a terrible idea considering how impatient I am) and because of a huge snowstorm we had two weeks ago causing thousands to miss the game, I'm still dealing with people who are never happy with what they're offered and are perfectly content being rude and yelling at me like it was me who controls the weather. It's actually pretty emotionally draining dealing with them so often - that and my boss has basically taken complete control over what was supposed to be my last big project before maternity leave. We have a huge event coming the arena and to initially promote it we're hosting a big luncheon for media and community members. I've been working on the PR plans and promotions for a year and all of a sudden it's taken away. Sometimes the ideas I'm bringing to the table don't even have the opportunity to leave my mouth before she shoots them down. There's no teamwork, just her dictating what her vision for this is, and me doing all the work to make it happen. It's not conducive at all, so that combined with the complainers really has me down.
Because I wear my heart on my sleeve and haven't figured out a way to change it, and I'm concerned about being stressed and that affecting Baby Girl, I've kind of just shut down I think. Problem is I can't just turn back on, if that makes any sense. blah. Then I just get even more irritated because when I'm in a funk, Baby Girl is much more quiet, and I'm absolutely in love with feeling her move around inside me. It's the most incredible thing ever, and I've been missing it. I'm sure things will change once Justin gets back - not only does he make me shake the funk but Baby Girl already adores him. She always moves more when he talks to her - recently he started singing to her too, but the only thing he could come up with was singing Sublime. I'm not sure if I should be concerned that she easily moved and kicked the most when he was singing songs about smoking joints in the morning and night to her, or if we should name her Mary Jane... I actually kinda like MJ. hmmmmmmmmm...
...and I just looked over and found a pretty little present Rocky left for me on our brand new carpet. awesome.
Anyway, my funk is probably due largely with work - I have the unfortunate task of handling all the complaints that come into the arena (a terrible idea considering how impatient I am) and because of a huge snowstorm we had two weeks ago causing thousands to miss the game, I'm still dealing with people who are never happy with what they're offered and are perfectly content being rude and yelling at me like it was me who controls the weather. It's actually pretty emotionally draining dealing with them so often - that and my boss has basically taken complete control over what was supposed to be my last big project before maternity leave. We have a huge event coming the arena and to initially promote it we're hosting a big luncheon for media and community members. I've been working on the PR plans and promotions for a year and all of a sudden it's taken away. Sometimes the ideas I'm bringing to the table don't even have the opportunity to leave my mouth before she shoots them down. There's no teamwork, just her dictating what her vision for this is, and me doing all the work to make it happen. It's not conducive at all, so that combined with the complainers really has me down.
Because I wear my heart on my sleeve and haven't figured out a way to change it, and I'm concerned about being stressed and that affecting Baby Girl, I've kind of just shut down I think. Problem is I can't just turn back on, if that makes any sense. blah. Then I just get even more irritated because when I'm in a funk, Baby Girl is much more quiet, and I'm absolutely in love with feeling her move around inside me. It's the most incredible thing ever, and I've been missing it. I'm sure things will change once Justin gets back - not only does he make me shake the funk but Baby Girl already adores him. She always moves more when he talks to her - recently he started singing to her too, but the only thing he could come up with was singing Sublime. I'm not sure if I should be concerned that she easily moved and kicked the most when he was singing songs about smoking joints in the morning and night to her, or if we should name her Mary Jane... I actually kinda like MJ. hmmmmmmmmm...
...and I just looked over and found a pretty little present Rocky left for me on our brand new carpet. awesome.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
catching up a bit
I learned awhile ago that I can blog from my blackberry - I haven't used it yet because it's still a little confusing and quite possibly too smart for me, but I wish I did because I come up with the best stuff when I'm not close enough to a computer to actually write it and keep it. nuts. I'm going to make a conscious effort to do it next time...
After my last post I got to go to Colorado for a short weekend for a much needed break from work, it snowed almost 18 inches in less than 24 hours in Ohio, we had a 3D ultrasound, have completed one of two fastforward childbirth classes, and I've finally decided that I'm okay sharing Baby Girl with the rest of the world - until recently I haven't been in any rush to have Baby, I really like that for right now it's just me and her.
In the next week I really want to make sure I make time to blog about each one because I'm not keeping any kind of pregnancy journal, outside of the blog, and we don't want to miss having this for later (Justin even asked if I want him to post something sometime since I haven't in awhile!). For now I just want to post pictures of my niece and nephew because they haven't received enough love on my site in awhile, and spending time with them in Colorado completely rocked my world and I miss them already...
After my last post I got to go to Colorado for a short weekend for a much needed break from work, it snowed almost 18 inches in less than 24 hours in Ohio, we had a 3D ultrasound, have completed one of two fastforward childbirth classes, and I've finally decided that I'm okay sharing Baby Girl with the rest of the world - until recently I haven't been in any rush to have Baby, I really like that for right now it's just me and her.
In the next week I really want to make sure I make time to blog about each one because I'm not keeping any kind of pregnancy journal, outside of the blog, and we don't want to miss having this for later (Justin even asked if I want him to post something sometime since I haven't in awhile!). For now I just want to post pictures of my niece and nephew because they haven't received enough love on my site in awhile, and spending time with them in Colorado completely rocked my world and I miss them already...
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